Tote box



Feb. 23, 1960 A. H. ElcHHoLz 2,925,904

TOTE Box Filed Nov. .1, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENT OR. rw/P M me/wa,

Feb. 23; 1960 A. H. ElcHl-loLz 2,925,904

TOTE Box Filed NOV. l, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 L/9 v INVENTOR l 5- /f/Prm? Af. m4/#0.42,

BY MMM States Patent TOTE BOX Arthur H. Eichholz, Polo, Ill., assgnor'to Central Stamping & Mfg. Co., Polo, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application November 1, 1957,.Serial No.693,995

' s claims. (c1. .zoe- 16) This invention is directed ato-a new and` improved utility case for carrying tools.

One purpose of thepresent invention is to provide a carrying case for tools which. allows division of the casev Vinto separate tool carrying sections.

Another purpose of the present 4invention is to provide a tool carrying case-with improved `means for holding tools or articles in the case.

Another purpose of the present invention is the provision of a tool carrying case that is easily formed and manufactured.

Another purpose of the present invention is the provision of an improved tool carrying case with a top wall that functions not only as a cover for the case but also as a holding structure for tools positioned in the case.

Other purposes of the invention will appear from time to time in the course of the ensuing specification and claims.

Referring generally to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved case;

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the case shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the sectional lines of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the case shown in Figure l;

Figure 5 isa sectional view taken along the sectional lines of Figure 4 and illustrating a portion of the case.

Like elements are designated by like characters throughout the specification and drawings.

Referring specifically now to the drawings and in the first instance to Figure 1, the numeral 1 refers to a carrying case body which may be formed from a folded metal stamping. The case 1, which forms the lower section of a two sectonassembly, may have a :bottom wall 2, side walls 3 and 4, and end walls 5 and 6. Dimples 7 may be formed in the bottom of the case to provide depending projections upon which the case may rest.

The other section of the case is comprised of a top generally designated as 8. According to the invention, the top 8 has a bottom wall 9 which serves both as a cover for the space within the lower section 1 and as a bottom wall for a carrying tray which is comprised of the upper or top section. The top has side walls 10 and 11 which are secured to and upstanding from the bottom wall 9. The upper portions of the side walls 10 and 11 may be curved inwardly toward the center of the top to provide overhanging retaining ledges for articles disposed in the upper section. The top has endY walls 12I and 13 joined to the side walls.

The top section may be detachably and removably se- `cured to the bottom casesection 1 as through the use of any suitable clasps generally designated at 14 and 15. The top section may have a depending rim 16 adapted to snugly fit over an upstanding rim A17 on the lower section.

An upstanding member is formed in the bottom wall 9 of the upper section. This member is designated at 18 ice and may be drawn from the metallic bottom wall 9 of the upper section. As is seen best in Figure 5 the member 18 is generally rectangular in cross section. It defines a space 19 which is exposed to the interior of the lower case section 1. A handle 20 extends longitudinally of the upper section 8 and may bexed tothe interiorof the end walls 12 and 13 and also secured to the `upstanding member 18. The upper portion of the handle is disposed above the level of the upper portion of the side walls 10 and 11. The ends of the member 18 may have tabportions 21, 22, and'23 folded inwardly therefrom and welded to the end walls 12 and 13 of the upper section, toaddrigidity tothe member 18, handle 20, end walls 12 and-13, and bottom 9. t g

An inclined shelf 24 is positioned within the lower `section 1 and provides an inclined surface Z5 extending .longitudinally of the lower section Aandotfsetwith respect to the longitudinal center line of the upper section 8 and lower section 1. The surface 25 is, however, disposedbeneath vthe open .space 19 in the upper section 8. The shelf may have depending legs 26 and 27 which are welded Vto the bottom wall 2 of the lower section in order to position the shelf illustrated in the position of Figure 3. t Thelower-end of the shelf may have 'aniupstanding ledge 28 to provide a stop against which tools or other articles may rest. The ledge 28 may have a retaining ledge portion 28a extending parallel to the direction of surface 25.

A bracket 29, which is generally U-shaped in form, has the legs thereof xed to one end wall y6 of the lower section. The medial portion of the bracket 29 is positioned a small distance from the end wall to provide a space within which tools may be disposed and held by the bracket 29. A cushioning pad, which maybe formed from a felt strip 30, is positioned beneath the bracket. It may be adhesively secured to the bottom wall 2 of the lower section.

A rubber pad 31 is attached to the inner surface of the member 18 to provide resilient gripping surfaces on opposite sides of the opening 19.

Whereas I have shown an operative form of the invention, I wish it to be understood that the showing and description thereof should be taken in an illustrative or diagrammatic sense only. There are many modifications which will fall within the spirit and scope of the invention and which will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The scope of the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the hereinafter appended claims.

The use and operation of the invention are -as follows:

I illustrate a carrying case forcarpenters or electricians tools. This type of case is commonly referred to as a Tote box. The invention contemplates a carrying case which is yformed of two separable, tool carrying sections,-

with an upper section providing both .a cover for the lower section and a carrying tray for tools. Thus the workman on the job may dispose a small number of the tools carried by the case in `the upper section or tray. The Workman is thus .able to leave the lower 4section with the majority of tools therein in one locale while he carries the tray or upper section with him on the job. The upper section is more easily handled than the overall case, and the overall weight that the workman is required to carry as he moves from spot -to spot on the job is considerably less than that required in moving the entire case.

The case contemplates the advantageous use of -a handle portion in the tray which is so formed as to rigidity the tray while at the same time providing a novel means of securing tools in Vthe lower section. A saw blade may, for example, be disposed on the surface 2-5 of ythe shelf 24 with its handle extending in an upward direction and with the lower end of the saw positioned against the retaining ledge 28a. The handle of the saw may extend uptions including a metallic container body and having dened side, end, and bottoni walls, a removable top for loosely disposed within the' lower section, and the disposi'- i" tion of the shelf prevents damagingcon'taet between strich 'loosely disposed ytools andtools held by the '1neniber 18 When vit is desired to transport the entire assembly', 'the upperl 'section is ysecured' to the lower section by the -clasps' 14 and'l'S :and the workman lifts `and carries the entire' assembly with the handle 20. When only the' upper 'section is needed for transport, the clasps 14 vand 15jare detached, thus allowing theworkman to leave the lower section in a ixed position; `While hel carries the upper section tray on the job. i l t. Whereas one form ofthe lower case section is illustrated 'in the drawings and vdescribed inthis specification, it should -be understood that this lower section is to `be 'taken as illustrative or in a diagrammatic sense, as illusltrating a typical lower case section with which the upper f case section may beassoeiated. The lower case section may take -any one of several well known forms. t f I claim: i

` -1. A container for tools of various sizes and configurasaid oontainer, said top providing a tray dened by side and end walls upstanding from a bottom wall, said last named bottom wall overlying and covering said container, and a handle opstanding from said last named bottom wall, said handle lbeing secured to an opstanding member formed on said bottom wall, said member extending longitudinally of the bottomwall, said member having an opening extending lengthwise lthereof and exposed to vtheiriterio'r Vof the container sogas topi-Ovide a storage space in said'member.

2". The structure of 'claim 1v .characte'rired by and including gripping means in said upstanding member.

3. The structure ofelaim v1 wherein 'aA resilient gripping strip is secured to the walls of said opening so as to resiliently grip objects between the Walls of said opening.

v Ree-ferencesCitedfin the file =of* this patent UNrrEDI srArEs Prrrinsrrsv 462,007 Gemany June s0, 192s 

